The role of depression and anxiety in experiencing and inflicting ostracism: A cross-national perspective

Being excluded and ignored by others (ostracism) severely impacts mental health. For instance, experiences of ostracism predict depression and are linked to other psychopathological symptoms such as anxiety. This relationship is reciprocal: psychopathological symptoms contribute to ostracism, further worsening these symptoms. Beyond experiencing ostracism, individuals with more psychopathological symptoms (here: stronger depressive and anxiety symptomatology) may also engage in ostracizing behavior, thus inflicting ostracism. For instance, depression and anxiety are associated with withdrawal and impaired social functioning, which may foster ostracizing behavior as a defensive mechanism. Using Bayesian multilevel analyses and data from 11 European countries (N = 5765), we find that stronger depressive and anxiety symptoms are associated with more frequent reports of experiencing and inflicting ostracism. These results advance theory in social and clinical psychology by highlighting the prevalence of ostracism experiences for depressed and anxious individuals. Furthermore, clear practical implications arise for mental health practitioners.